A Safe Trail Biking Trip is an "excellent" Trip

It is best to plan that there will be a crash when trail riding with mountain bikes.

Safety is a work a lot of people don't want to hear.

They don't want to wear their seat belts when driving their car.

They don't want to wear a life preserver when in a boat.

And many don't want to wear a helmet when they mountain bike.

But the fact is, a safe trip is a fun trip and what could be a minor scrap with the right safety equipment, can turn into a major injury without it.

But while many will argue that the use of a helmet is the best way to keep from having an injury, bikers should always ride in control too.

Riding in control not only helps prevent crashes, it keeps others on the trail safe as well. When a biker rides out of control, they loose the ability to adjust to the terrain and environment as they pass through it. This can and does lead to dangerous crashes and injury to the rider and possibly others.

Mountain biking is inherently dangerous and most bikers like to push the limits sometimes. However there is a fine line between pushing the limits safely and pushing them recklessly.

Here are some steps to consider when working toward safety.

Wear the right gear. Always wear a helmet and any other appropriate safety equipment for the riding conditions. In many cases riding around the Price area means riders should have gloves and eye protection because the branches of trees can be like razors are times.

Knowing the ability limits. There is no shame in walking sections of the trail that a rider doesn't feel confident enough to ride.

Have the appropriate bike for the terrain. Some bikes are better for different situations. Just because tire tracks exist in an area doesn't mean it can be ridden with a bike.

Keep speed in check. Always keep the speed at a level that will allow adjustment to any unforeseen obstacles or changes in trail condition.

Know the trail. Never push the limits on a trail that is not familiar. Know the trail that is being ridden at slower speeds before riding like familiar trails.

Slow down for blind corners. Hidden hikers or other bikers can mean a nasty accident.

Stop and look. Stop and look at sections of the trail that look like they may pose a challenge before riding them.

Always plan on a crash. Always look at the consequences of crashing in a particular section or on a particular stunt before trying to ride through it. Sometimes a section can look easy to ride but can have deadly consequences to a crash.

Start small and then work up through obstacles. Find ways to practice moves in less difficult and dangerous situations or at lower speeds before committing to something more dangerous.

Playing smart, not just hard. If it seems what is being done is not the smartest thing to do, the thought is probably right. Think about what is being done and trust those instincts.